The ousted Marinduque representative Regina Ongsiako Reyes has never been a member of the House of Representatives.
This was the statement of Majority leader Neptali Gonzales II when he made a motion during the plenary on Feb. 1, 2016 for Lord Allan Velasco to take the oath as the real representative of the lone district of Marinduque.
Gonzales said the Supreme Court informed the House of its entry of judgement that “the representative from Marinduque, the honorable Reyes, has never become a member of the House of Representatives, and consequently, her name has been deleted in the roll of members.”
“Likewise, we are in receipt from the Commission on Elections stating that proclamation of the elected representative of lone district of Marinduque as Lord Allan Velasco, and he has complied with the requirement of the House by furnishing the Office of the Secretary General with his oath of office and the certificate of proclamation from the Comelec,” Gonzales added.
Reyes is a first-termer since she won in 2013. Meanwhile, Velasco served as Marinduque solon from 2010 to 2013.
The House removed Reyes after Velasco scored in the Supreme Court which granted his writ of mandamus.
A smiling Velasco was accompanied during his oath-taking by his mother Ang Mata’y Alagaan Rep. Lorna Velasco.
Lord Allan is the son of Supreme Court Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco.
The House implemented the ouster after the Supreme Court denied the House motion for reconsideration on the high court’s ruling removing Reyes in favor of Velasco.
The Supreme Court upheld the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) cancellation of Reyes’ certificate of candidacy over her being a dual citizen and thus failing to comply with the residency requirement for congressional candidates. - Politiko
